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Photographer Gill Flett has been snapping happy couples for three years. Her photos have appeared in national magazines and films, and her job has taken her to far-flung places.

With a background in fashion and celebrity photography, Gill is well equipped to deal with any situation that a wedding may bring. Here she shares a day in her life and tells us what to look for when booking a photographer.

How long have you been a wedding photographer and how did you get into the business?

I have been a photographer since 1992. I started working commercially in '93, as I wasn't being funded through college and it seemed like the best way of earning cash. My first big job was shooting Louise Redknapp for a magazine in Scotland. Her mum has the picture too. I then carried on shooting celebrities such as Jon Bon Jovi and Tom Jones, and finally moved to London in 1997 after spending too much time commuting from lovely Edinburgh. I got into the wedding business whilst arranging my own wedding.

My fashion and celeb background seemed to separate me from the crowd, and the business is now in its third year. My photographs have been in the national wedding magazines several times.

Last year I shot the GMTV wedding with wedding co-ordinator Siobhan Craven-Robins in South Africa. More recently I have had some pictures featured in the film Confetti, which was great - behind the naked man in the editor's office scene. Quite an eye opener. I went to see it with a friend and we laughed and pointed throughout!

What style of photographs do you take?

I like to think that I take very beautiful natural images. I take care to shoot lots of gorgeous portraits of the couple on their day, even though wedding day schedules rarely allow for it.

I take the style of photography from shooting celebrities and fashion spreads to wedding photography - no soft focus or cheese.

Describe a typical day.

My typical day starts around 7am when my two-year-old wakes up. Then I get ready as late as I can so that I remain clean from little hands. I always leave about an hour early to ensure that I don't get stuck getting to a venue. I arrive with the bride usually about an hour and a half before the ceremony and start shooting soon after.

I get the guys and all the bits and pieces that the couple will not see throughout their day - all the things they have chosen from months of planning. I'm there during the ceremony and cover reportage shots of the couple immediately after the ceremony. It's always lovely to record the relief on their faces as well as the joy of the family and friends - it rubs off on you.

After a little while I'll suggest shooting the family shots and then the couple's portrait. This is my favourite part of the day. They are so happy and relieved that they've said the right vows and dealt with family that they are usually very easy to work with.

I ask couples to kiss a lot, which whilst they seem to enjoy also allows me to get natural smiles and lots of kissing shots for them. Then it's back to the reception to cover the wedding breakfast. It's first-dance time before you know it and the end of my day usually unless fireworks have been arranged. I get home exhausted but happy.

What was the worst wedding you ever had to photograph?

The worst wedding would have been when the couple had an open-fronted marquee and there was a constant thunder and lightning storm for the duration of the reception. I did feel very sorry for them - there were no nearby loos so they had to get their umbrellas out and the bride had to pick up her now very wet dress to get there.

They kind of accepted the fact and moved on. The father's speech seemed to lift their spirits, and luckily there had been some sun before the downpour so I could arrange the album a bit more optimistically.

What was the best wedding you have ever covered and why?

I shot a wedding at Westminster Abbey a couple of years ago. It was the wedding of the daughter of the Dean of the Abbey, so they had access to the whole church. Although it was in grand surroundings it was such a warm atmosphere. The mother of the bride initially didn't want any ceremony shots due the seriousness of the day.

However, she gave in, requesting the odd shot to be recorded for posterity. I stood right at the back photographing in bare feet so as to be even quieter. The pictures were amazing. The architecture and the light was gorgeous and the couple were very happy with their pictures. I don't know if I will ever photograph a wedding there again but it was an amazing experience.

Ever been on any exotic locations to do a wedding?

The most exotic location would have to be the GMTV wedding in South Africa last year. It was over four days in Sun City with visits to an elephant sanctuary and a lion park. It was so beautiful and the crew and bridal party were lovely. Apart from the slightly early mornings, it was more like a holiday.

For people looking to book a wedding photographer, what should people consider?

When considering a wedding photographer, have a good look at their work and get to meet them. Their photographs will be the lasting record of your day and you want someone who can show you the story of your day. If you can see yourself in their sample albums or website then they may be right for you.

Shopping on price can be a big mistake. You do get what you pay for, and if you understate the value of your photography you cannot restage it at a later date. Look at a few and then book the one who feels right to you. Photographers who have been in the national wedding press or won professional photography prizes are good to look out for, but really the style of the photographer's work should be the deciding factor.

What advice do you have for people looking to take their own wedding photographs?

Don't do it! Either taking your own shots on the day or getting a family/friend to do it is never a great idea. When I am hired I know that the couple have left the coverage to me and they can get on with enjoying their day knowing that they are in capable hands.

A friend/family member will not enjoy their day as they will be constantly working and not be part of the day. I use professional equipment and know how to capture the best view of my subjects. I've just heard too many disappointment stories on this matter.

What trends have you noticed in recent years regarding wedding photography?

More natural coverage, more fashion coverage - all reasons for me to be in this industry. I could not cover weddings if it was the old style of wedding photography. Lots more couples are also going for magazine albums too.

Which celebrity wedding past or present would you most like to photograph?
Not sure about this one - as long as they didn't come with a giant cast and crew I would be happy to shoot most weddings. I wish I'd covered Jamie and Jools Oliver's wedding - they seem quite cool.

For more details about Gill's work, check out her official website.